Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages gifts $100,000 to Blinn Foundation

Scholarships will go to first-generation students attending College

August 27, 2024

Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages (CCSWB), one of the largest Coca-Cola bottlers in the United States, has gifted $100,000 to the  Blinn College Foundation to support first-generation students.

CCSWB’s gift will immediately impact those students' financial needs.

“CCSWB recognizes for many students, being the first person in a family to go to college is a tremendous achievement,” said Morris Smith, Vice President of Public Affairs Communication and Sustainability for the company. “However, it can also be a huge financial burden as well. The purpose of the scholarships is to aid these students on their education journey as they continue to pursue their passions and aspirations.”

Smith said Coca-Cola selected Blinn because the College’s mission to provide quality, affordable education aligns with CCSWB’s values. 

“The decision to invest in students at Blinn was an easy decision to make. Supporting students who pursue secondary education is one of the many ways we give back to our local communities,” he said. “We believe education is the key to unlocking endless possibilities for our students in our region.

“Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages is proud to recognize each student who receives our scholarship. We encourage each one of our scholars to continue pursuing their passions and aspire to be the next generation of leaders for our local communities.”

The Blinn Foundation is a tax-exempt organization that provides financial support for programs and activities that enhance the quality of education for Blinn students and expand educational opportunities. It oversees more than 300 endowed scholarships.

“We are thrilled that Coca-Cola has provided this generous gift to help first-generation students attend college,” said Michael Schaefer, who will take over as Chair of the Blinn College Foundation on Sept. 1. “Gifts to the Foundation are turned into life-changing scholarships, but we couldn’t do it without help from so many people and companies like Coca-Cola.”

Scholarships are available to incoming and returning students from various backgrounds, majors, and experiences. Students are considered based on high academic achievement, participation in student activities, and community involvement.

Current high school and college students can apply for Blinn scholarships by completing the application at  www.blinn.edu/scholarships. Before applying for scholarships, students must complete their application for admission to Blinn College at  www.applytexas.org.